AN INAUGURAL SPEECH PRESENTED BY THE 6th CHAIRMAN OF NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION, BWARI BRANCH (CRADLE BAR) ON THE OCCASION OF SWEARING IN OF THE ELECTED EXCOS FOR THE YEAR 2023-2025 AT GADIS EVENT CENTRE DATED THE 26TH DAY OF JUNE, 2023.
Protocol
My Lord, the Chief Judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Distinguished Learned Senior Advocates of Nigeria here present , 2nd Vice President NBA, Past Chairmen here present, Elders of the Branch, Fellow Branch Executives, Learned Seniors, my beloved Colleagues and Gentlemen of the Press.
Introduction.
Upon careful and extensive consultations, I, PAUL BABATUNDE DAUDU ESQ presented myself as a candidate for the Office of CHAIRMAN of this great Branch.
This was borne out of the singular belief that we can together build a progressive and prosperous Branch that would be a trailblazer and a pace setter for other Branches of the Nigerian Bar Association to follow. It is this philosophy, the hope, the will and the determination to make things even better in this Branch that spurred me on to aspire for your collective mandate in making this vision a reality.
On the 24th of June 2023, this aspiration became a reality when I was return unopposed as your chairman. This resounding endorsement has humbled me as I never in my wildest dreams imagined that I would within such as short space of time in joining the Branch be entrusted with this enormous responsibility. Particularly given the fact that I was on the floor of the then National Executive Committee in 2012 when this our great Branch was created during the tenure of President J.B Daudu S.A.N.
I reiterate that I do not take this resounding vote of confidence for granted as I am fully aware that trust must not only be earned but maintained. Today, My Fellow members of the Executives and I have committed on oath to serve you selflessly. I on behalf the entire Executive state categorically that we undertake to perform our various functions with utmost dedication and zeal; never allowing our personal interest to override the interest of this great Branch.
My life as a lawyer has been dedicated to the service of the NBA in different capacities both at the National and Branch Level, championing ProfessionalDevelopment and welfare related issues amongst lawyers particularly amongst younger lawyers, service of my clients and indeed humanity.
It is therefore with immense respect for you, a deep understanding of the value of your mandate and the demonstrable appreciation of the factors that have be–deviled our noble Association over the years, that we as executives have made ourselves available to serve you.
Therefore, in furtherance to strict observance to the duties already assigned to the Office of the Chairman of this noble Branch as codified in NBA Uniform Bye-Law, I have set among others the following agenda for the Branch:
1. A UNITED BAR
Our First and immediate course of action is to work towards building bridges for a united bar where all members enjoy a sense of belonging in the affairs of our great Branch. This is important because progress and success can only be achieved where there is unity of purpose and a peaceful environment.
The motto ‘’ Every Voice Matters’’ will be the watchword of our administration. The recent turbulence and conflict leading up to the conduct of the election was indeed worrisome as same nearly threatened the fragile peace and unity that has made this Branch the envy of all Branches in the FCT.
We are indeed grateful to the Branch Election Appeal Committee (Northern Zone) led by Abdul Adoga Ibrahim S.A.N for resolving all the petitions before it wisely and setting the tone for peaceful resolution of all grievances.
I must also place on record, my appreciation for the maturity and sportsmanship shown by my brothers Chief Maxwell Opara and Chidi Dimgba in sacrificing their personal ambition for the greater interest of the Branch. I have no doubt that both learned colleagues still have so much to offer this great branch with regards to our collective mandate of promotion of rule of law and protection of human rights of citizens in our immediate environment.
I also have no doubt every member of this great branch must have had a preferred candidate for each of the contested positions in the recent elections and were able to make choices as reflected across the voting pattern, but wisdom prevailed in the end.
These choices made, must be respected, and I assure you all that those challenges witnessed during and after the election are put behind us to make our friendship and relationship stronger and better than ever, for the overall interest of the branch.
Electoral reform to make our electioneering processes free from unnecessary conflict will be one of the key objectives of this administration. I use this medium to appeal to our members who may not have emerged victorious in the recently conducted polls to accept same in good faith as other opportunities to serve this great Branch will present itself in the nearest future. I undertake to personally reach out to all contestants to encourage them not to relent in the pursuit of selfless service to our association. I state unequivocally that your valuable ideas, energy, dexterity and positive influence made all the difference. My hands of fellowship are wide open as I humbly seek your ideas and support to move the branch forward.
2. IMPROVED WELFARE OF MEMBERS
The promotion of the welfare of Nigerian lawyers is the raison d’etre of the NBA. It is my belief that while the Bar should remain a watchdog in the society, it must not do so to the neglect of the welfare of its members.
As part of the core mandate of our administration, the NBA will use its best endeavours to ensure that its members enjoy improved access to healthcare under the current NBA Health Insurance Scheme. As a former National Chairman of the Young Lawyers’ Forum, I have always been an advocate for appropriate re-numeration of younger lawyers and I will not relent in that regard We will also intend to maintain and improve upon existing welfare policies of the Branch such as:
A) Free Medical screening and Health Checks at Monthly Branch meetings.
B) Provision of Free Transportation and Accommodation for members of the Young Lawyers Forum at the Annual General Conference of the NBA when out of jurisdiction.
C) Full implementation of Existing Cooperative Scheme started under the past regime to enable our members improve their saving culture and access soft loans.
D) Provision of Free Diary to members who are in good standing with the Branch.
E) Re-introduction of weekly aerobics and exercise for members.
F) Creation of a separate account for proper record of Welfare Contributions for 2024 and 2025
PROMOTION OF THE RULE OF LAW
As an ardent believer in the supremacy of law and an advocate for the adherence to the Rule of Law, we shall in our time in office promote same and in achieving that we shall;
A) Electoral reforms, to ensure confidence in our electoral process in conduct of Branch elections.
B) Ensure that we promote the enforcement of fundamental human rights in our community.
C) Defend pro bono indigent citizens who may require professional services.
D) Protection and defending the children, women and the most vulnerable members of the public.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Professional Development is the desire of every Legal practitioner and that shall be the hallmark of our administration in order to keep our members abreast with current professional practices and our ever – changing laws, to achieve this we shall amongst others;
A) Ensure that we vigorously pursue the Continuous Legal Education by organizing periodical seminars and trainings for members of the branch.
B) Make efforts by your support and cooperation ensure that we expose one or two of our younger colleagues to foreign conferences, the criteria of which will be clearly spelt out in due course.
C) Organizing Moot Trial competitions for the younger lawyers especially for those in active litigation to improve their advocacy skills.
D) We shall constantly notify members of trainings, symposia and seminars and encourage members to subscribe to such programs in order to improve their legal knowledge and skills, such programs can be attended virtually and where necessary attend in – person.
E) Promote mentorship/pupilage initiative for purpose of equipping our young lawyers with necessary legal skills/ knowledge required in attainment of their potentials.
ANNUAL GENERAL CONFERENCE 2023
With the Annual General Conference scheduled to hold in Abuja in less than 2 months’ time, it is extremely important for our Branch being one of the host Branches to effectively participate in this years Conference in order to promote the image of the branch.
It is also extremely important to ensure that our members that have already registered have a seamless conference experience. Pursuant to these objectives we hereby constitute the AGC 2023 Committee for our Branch with the following terms of reference;
a) Liaising with the LOC /AGCC so that members of this great Branch who have registered can effectively participate in this year’s conference.
b) Planning a Welcome Party for members of the Branch and friends of the Branch visiting from other jurisdictions during the conference.
c) Ensuring our Football team is registered within time with sole mandate to win the Gold Medal in this year’s competition.
d) Coordinating seamless Transportation arrangements for our members intending to participate in the various sessions lined up in the conference.
e) Coordinating seamless collection of materials on behalf of registered conferees from this Branch.
f) Raising Funds to achieve the objectives of the committee.
The said committee is constituted as follows:
1) Caleb Oboagiwina – Chairman
2) Lolo Onyinye Nweke – Alternate Chairman
3) Agnes Omuya – Secretary
4) Yau Bawa Mohammed Esq
5) Prince Amaechi Nweke
6) Pascal Jiwuaku
7) Barnabas Ehi
8) Darlington Nwafor
9) Ayodele Samuel Adepitan
10) Ralph Ogbe
11) Fatima Abdullahi
12) Juliet Ariwodo – Alternate Secretary
13) Johnson Pius Ayah.
OTHER SET GOALS
We have our minds set on other goal we hope to achieve within our term in office and with your collective support and cooperation, I believe shall achieve them. These goals include but not limited to;
E) Branch Secretariat – we shall ensure the procurement of the land which we were promised during our 2023 Law Week for our bar centre/Secretariat is actualized.
We shall equally make efforts to actualize the dreams of the founding fathers of this great branch by working towards the building of a befitting Bar Centre/Secretariat for the branch. However, in the short term we will in the next 3 to six months rent a suitable office space for us to effectively administer the Branch.
F) We shall also see to it that Branch meetings are fixed and defined so that members can adequately plan toward the meetings.
G) Leveraging on technology and introducing best practices in running the affairs of this great Branch.
CONCLUSION/APPRECIATION.
I am not unmindful of the enormous task ahead in achieving the above goals, but with your full support, together with God’s grace, we will collectively attain them.
I am particularly appreciative of our distinguished Elders of the branch particularly (Elder Mohammed Tsav, Elder Dickson Ibe, Elder B.O Nafagha, Clement Chukwumek Ugo , Dorcas Ngwu , Elder Sarafa Yusuf, Peter Omenka ,Elder ChukwudiNweke Olalekan Oladapo, Monday Adjeh and host of others too numerous to mention ), Past Excos, the Out-going Excos ably by Monday Adjeh, and the entire members of the branch for the confidence repose in me and the elected excos.
We as an executive will endeavor to ensure that the labour of our founding Members shall not be in vain.
I must also at this juncture appreciate my mentor, boss and father J.B Daudu S.A.N (Past President of the NBA) for grooming me since my tender years to become the Legal Practitioner today I am today.Without his support and that of my late mother R. Bosede Daudu (of Blessed memory), I would not also be standing here today as your chairman as both of my parents exposed me to bar activities at a very early stage in my life and I am indeed immensely grateful to them .I will also not forget in a hurry, the quality advice ,encouragement and mentoring received from senior members of the Bar through the course of my journey to this point particularly ; Abdullahi Ibrahim S.A.N (of blessed memory),President WoleOlanipekun SAN , Chief A.S Awomolo SAN , President Olisa Agbakoba S.A.N, President O.C.J Okocha S.A.N , President Augustine Alegeh S.A.N ,President Okey Wali S.A.N ,President Y.C MaikyauS.A.N , Hon Justice U.N Agomoh (My First Head of Chambers), President Olumide Akpata, J.S Okutepa S.AN ,Ahmed Raji S.A.N , Elisha KurahS.A.N (of blessed memory) , Mazi Afam OsigweS.A.N , Ibrahim Sani Mohammed S.A.N (Attorney-General of Kogi State), J.J Usman S.AN , Usman Sule S.A.N, Abdulwahab Mohammed S.A.N , M Y Abdullahi S.A.N, M.S Ibrahim S.AN , Desmond Yamah, Agada Elachi Esq ,Monday Ubani , AdesinaAdegbite (Current General Secretary), ChineyereMoneme, Yakubu Philemon, Barbara Omosun, Dayo Adedeji (My H.O.C) , Rachael Osibu , IlofuanIgbuan and a whole lot of colleagues too numerous to mention. Pls pardon me if your name is left out.
I also am appreciative to members of this Branch for helping me heal through a very difficult time as I joined the Branch shortly after I lost my wife Victoria Daudu. You became like members of my adopted family and I cannot forget your kind gestures in a hurry.
Special gratitude goes to my wife Augustina,children and immediate family who without their love, prayers, support and assistance, I would not have been able to make myself available to serve you adequately.
In concluding, I want to reiterate that I do not take the collective endorsement by members of this branch to steer the ship in the next two years for granted . As the saying goes ‘To whom much is given, much is expected ‘’With your Support My Excos and I will work together to build a Bar that works for ALL.
Thank You for listening,
God Bless NBA Bwari
God Bless Nigerian Bar Association
God Bless us all
•Paul Babatunde Daudu Esq.
Chairman , Nigerian Bar Association Bwari Branch ( 2023-2025)
